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Great Winter Getaway Ideas: Capital-Saratoga

Published: Jan 23, 2014

History, music, outdoor
sports and horseracing!

Winter's wonderful in this eclectic region! From
Albany's cobblestone streets to Saratoga's Victorian charm, cities glow with
celebrations of art, history, music and fine food. Picturesque villages
are surrounded by glistening forests and snow-covered hills. Many lakes, including the Great Sacandaga,
offer skating, ice-fishing contests, winter fireworks displays, and other
special events throughout the season.

Three ski mountains-Maple Ridge, Royal Mountain and
Willard Mountain- boast a variety of trails and terrain parks, from novice to
challenging. Cross-country skiers find
unique paths, from unspoiled wilderness to a national historical park. Après
ski, you can stay at a cozy B&B, historic country inn, or a grand hotel
with a soothing spa.

A. Albany

Begin with a tour of the magnificent New York State
Capitol, adjacent to the Empire State Plaza. The Plaza houses a
world-class modern art collection, 42nd-floor observation deck, the Egg
Performing Arts Center, and the NY State Museum, where kids (and you!) can ride
a full-size indoor carousel.

This season's entertainment at The Egg runs from The
Temptations in December, to Zappa Plays Zappa in February, and the sweet Carolina
Chocolate Drops in April.

Shows at the
majestic Palace Theatre range from holiday favorites to Disney Live! in March. The resident Albany
Symphony is one of the nation's great orchestras.

Nearby, tours and tasting at the Albany Distilling
Company reveal the process of creating their 19th- and early 20th-century style
rums and whiskeys.

On Sage College's campus, the Opalka Gallery presents
works by prominent professional artists, artist talks and performances.

B. Vorheesville

Just west of Albany, the Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature
Center was voted #1 of 20 top places to take kids in the Capital District. Hands-on
exhibits include a live honeybee observation hive, bird viewing area, fossils
and furs. Follow woodland trails for winter hiking, skiing, wildlife watching
and ice-fishing at Thompson's Lake.

C. Troy

Head northeast across the Hudson River to this historic
city known for its Victorian
architecture, antique shops and
Tiffany windows. The 1875 Troy Music Hall attracts world-class
musicians, from Rosanne Cash, in December, to Hilary Hahn in April.

The menu at Brown's Brewing Company's River Street
Taproom compliments the ales and lagers brewed on site. The new Malt Room, a
speakeasy-style bar in the basement, serves Brown's beer, scotches, bourbons
and a tapas menu of local bread and cheeses and cold plates.

D. East Postenkill

Just
east, miles of groomed trails await you at Pineridge Cross Country Ski Area.
This wonderland of snow-laden evergreens also has unique skating trails and lighted
trails for night-skiing and moonlight
snowshoeing.

E. Cherry Plain

Nearby Mattison Hollow, an historic country inn surrounded
by thousands of acres of woodlands, is secluded, yet close to cultural and
recreational activities.

F. Cambridge

Due north, this
quaint village sparkles amid rural winter landscapes and covered bridges. Explore
Main Street's shops, galleries, restaurants and Hubbard Hall, a
restored 1878 opera house. Acclaimed theater includes the Mo and
Shirley Show, in January, and Shakespeare's King Lear in February.

G. Greenwich

Nearby at Willard Mountain, trails range from the Bunny Hop to the challenging Cutoff.
The Terrain Park has bumps, jumps, rails and funboxes to hone your
freestyle skills. Willard's snowtubing park has its own cozy lodge.

H. Granville

Travel north to the Slate Valley Museum, celebrating
the history of quarrying with a mix of paintings, sculpture, photographs and
special events. Learn about the immigrants who came to work in the slate
quarries through folk art, artifacts and tales that weave together religion,
tradition, language and politics.

Nearby you can stay at the 1906 Sheldon Mansion,
constructed of rare red slate by a wealthy slate baron. Restored to its
original grandeur, the mansion and 10-acre estate offer luxuries of a bygone
era, like breakfast in the solarium with sweeping mountain views. It's a short
walk to shops, restaurants and museums in the historic village.

I. Great Sacandaga
Lake

Head southwest to the 29-mile-long Great Sacandaga Lake. Along with family-friendly ice-fishing contests and
winter fireworks shows, there are Snowmobile Fun Runs every Saturday from
January to March. The website has details on "Great" events all season.

J. Saratoga
Springs

Head east to watch live harness racing from the indoor
lounge at Saratoga Casino & Raceway. There's also gaming machines,
restaurants, and a nightclub hosting great local party bands and top celebrities.

The winter line-up at the Spa Little Theater runs
from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
in December, to Agatha Christie's Witness
for the Prosecution in February, and Boeing
Boeing in April.

A drive along the stately Avenue of the Pines gives
you a glimpse of the tranquil elegance that awaits you at the Gideon Putnam
Resort & Spa. Across the lawn, the Roosevelt Baths & Spa offers
bubbling mineral baths.

During
the holiday season, families cozy-up in festively-decorated vintage cars,
aboard the Saratoga & North Creek Railway's Polar Express-which rolls out of Saratoga station bound for the "North
Pole!"

K. Schenectady

Complete the itinerary's loop by heading south to
Schenectady. Take in a performance at Proctor's Theater, a majestic
Vaudeville-era palace that dazzles with its grandness as well as its full
schedule. Show include traveling Broadway hits, musicals, pop and classical
music, dance and movies.

Just outside the city, Maple Ski Ridge has terrain
ideal for family fun and beginners of all ages. Along with great skiing and
riding, Maple offers a ski school, rentals and lively events. No snow in your
back yard? No worries. Snowmaking is big here.